AFC SAFF sign major MoU for Saudi football growth

AFC SAFF

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) to continue to develop and strengthen the football network in the country.

To sign the MoU, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John and SAFF General Secretary Ibrahim Alkassim marked the deal at the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah Hotel before the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025.

The MoU highlighted several programmes designed to enhance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s football infrastructure, operational procedure and employees before the nation hosts the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

In particular, the MoU seeks to establish a new framework which focuses on education and research via the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) to upskill participants’ ability to manage and operate footballing institutions.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John outlined the AFC’s dedication to assisting Member Associations.

“The AFC is committed to uplifting its Member Associations and collaborations like this Memorandum of Understanding are one of the various ways that we can foster development of the game,” he said in a press release.
“We look forward to working closely with our friends at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to raise the levels of football excellence even higher, through our highly acclaimed ACE programmes that have already benefitted hundreds of graduates.”
SAFF General Secretary Ibrahim Alkassim highlighted the value of signing the MoU with the AFC.
“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation is proud to partner with the AFC in this important initiative to further enhance the capabilities of our football community,” he said via press release.
“Through the ACE programmes and the spirit of collaboration enshrined in this Memorandum of Understanding, we are confident that our staff, stakeholders, and partners will gain valuable knowledge and expertise to drive Saudi football to even greater heights.
“We look forward to a successful journey together as we prepare to host the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and beyond.”
In addition to the AFC ACE, the AFC will collaborate with the SAFF Institute of Research to investigate football in Asia and undergo a project to digitise relevant Asian national team and club competition materials.
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Unlock the Secrets of Elite Coaching at the 2025 FV Coaching Conference

FV Coaching Conference 2025

Are you ready to elevate your coaching skills? The FV Coaching Conference 2025 is the must-attend event for football coaches across Australia. Taking place on 29 November at The Rydges Melbourne, the conference will feature top experts, including Trevor Morgan, Head Coach U20 & Technical Director – Men’s at Football Australia, sharing insights on modern coaching practices, player development, and leadership. Whether you coach at grassroots or elite levels, this is your chance to learn strategies that can transform your team’s performance.

Key Details – FV Coaching Conference 2025:

  • Who: Coaches from across Australia

  • What: A full-day coaching conference with presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities

  • When: Friday, 29 November, 9AM–4PM

  • Where: The Rydges, Melbourne

  • Why: Explore player development, performance, leadership, and modern coaching techniques

Event Highlights:

  • Gain insights from Trevor Morgan and other leading football experts

  • Practical sessions designed to improve coaching methods

  • Network with coaches nationwide and share experiences

  • Earn 5 CPD hours for attending

  • Discover strategies to develop elite players at any level

Speakers (so far):

  • Trevor Morgan – Head Coach U20 & Technical Director – Men’s, Football Australia

For more information and registration, visit the official Football Victoria Coaching Conference page. Learn more about our speakers and past conferences here.

Cost: $165 (GST included)

Liverpool’s Bold New Move: The Game-Changing Partnership Set to Revolutionise the Club’s Future

Liverpool Football Club has kicked off a major new era by signing a multi-year global partnership with Trimble, a leading technology company set to revolutionise the club’s infrastructure and day-to-day operations.

The partnership will debut with a massive redevelopment of the Liverpool FC Academy — a project that promises to transform the way future Reds stars train and develop. The upgrade will feature a new full-size indoor pitch, an outdoor pitch with stands, and state-of-the-art medical and sports science facilities designed to nurture the club’s next generation of talent.

Using Trimble SketchUp®, the redevelopment will create a world-class environment for young players to learn, train and thrive. This collaboration ties directly into Liverpool’s broader vision to drive innovation, boost performance, and ensure its facilities continue to meet the demands of the modern game.

Beyond the infrastructure improvements, Trimble’s brand will also feature across Anfield and LFC’s digital platforms — reaching one of the largest audiences in global sport. With more than 215 million social followers, 12 million YouTube subscribers, and a staggering 583 million cumulative TV viewers across all competitions during the 2024/25 season, Trimble is set to gain enormous worldwide visibility.

Ben Latty, Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool, said:
“Trimble’s technology and expertise will play an important role in how we continue to evolve our facilities to meet the needs of the modern game – starting with the redevelopment of our Academy.

“Innovation has always been central to the club’s approach, and this partnership brings a fresh perspective to how we design and deliver spaces that support our players, staff and fans. We’re delighted to welcome Trimble to the LFC partnership family.”

Rob Painter, President and CEO of Trimble, added:
“Our collaboration with Liverpool Football Club is a pivotal step in expanding our global reach.

“LFC, much like Trimble and its dedicated customers, embodies excellence and a relentless passion for continuous improvement. We’re confident that this unparalleled exposure will propel the brand further with extended global resonance.”

Liverpool’s latest move isn’t just another sponsorship deal — it’s a statement of intent. By joining forces with Trimble, the club is doubling down on innovation, investing in the future, and ensuring its young stars have the best possible platform to shine for years to come.

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